Have you heard of erythritol and wonder what in the world it is? Here's all you need to know and why it's a fantastic sugar substitute!
The first time I ever saw or heard of erythritol I shunned it. I could barely say the name correctly let alone open my mind to using it. I was perfectly content with using stevia as my natural sugar free substitute and I still am and love my stevia.
I have been a stevia snob. But my good blogging friend Carolyn, from All Day I Dream About Food has been using it for a good long time and it peaked my curiosity, but again I've been happy with my recipes using stevia and I think all of you have as well.
Although I am perfectly content using stevia, I always receive many emails and comments saying some of you still find a bitter aftertaste even with the brands I recommend. I never taste an aftertaste and it must be because I'm so used to using it for so long now. My hubby will still notice in some no bake recipes or frosting so I decided over the last year to start experimenting with it.
Many of you know over the course of about 6 months I've been writing a cookbook and during this time I combined erythritol with stevia. I can only say that the results have been absolutely phenomenal in my baked goodies and treats. After attending BlogHer Food in Miami and speaking with the president of Swerve, I knew it was time to bring you some information here on the blog in hopes to enlighten you as well on this fantastic product.
WHAT IS ERYTHRITOL?
- It's pronounced, (a-rith-ri-tall).
- It is NOT an artificial sweetener like aspartame or Splenda. It is naturally occurring in plants and fruits and vegetables like grapes, melons and mushrooms.
- It is a sugar alcohol most often used in chewing gums, mouthwash, cough drops and mints.
- It has no calories and does not spike blood sugar. Zero on glycemic index. It is Non- GMO.
- Not to be confused with xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol which can cause gas, bloating and laxative effects.
- It measures cup for cup for sugar, but is only about 70% as sweet as table sugar. ( This is why combining it with stevia which is 300 times sweeter than sugar is a great choice).
IS IT SAFE & WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
I wouldn't be using it for my family or recommending it if I didn't believe in it as a safe product for my family and myself. Before it is even digested in the large intestine, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and basically eliminated unchanged.
So only about 10% actually enters into the small intestine. Because of this it does not typically cause any laxative effects like xylitol and maltitol would. We have been using it regularly with no problems in our family.
The season I like the brand Swerve is because I've tried other granular erythritol products from a few other brands and found them very gritty in the final product. Swerve has both a granular as well as a confectioner's sugar type product.
Both work well in baked goods, but of course when you want a recipe to have the look of confectioner's sugar that choice would be best. Mostly to bake I've been using the granular, but again either would work well.
Today Swerve has kindly offered to give away samples to 3 Sugar-Free Mom readers. You can choose between the granular version or the confectioner's version. Both are 1 pound in weight.
THIS GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Just enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win some Swerve! 3 winners will be chosen. Contest ends on June 21, 2014 at midnight, EST. USA residents only please. Winners will be notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours.
References:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/497773-erythritol-vs-stevia-vs-xylitol/
https://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/erythritol.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythritol
Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post. Swerve sweetener provided me samples of their product to try as well as product to provide for this give away. All opinions are 100% my own.
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Sylvia
I would love to try this. I have not been happy with other sweetener, and want to get away from using sugar. Thank You.
Karen Johansen
Only sweetener I use for baking! Try it you will never go back 🙂
Debby Robic
I love Swerve! I use it in my Bullet Proof Coffee every morning, and in Low-carb baking, etc.
Elise
I'm excited to have a chance to try this product out!
Susie
Just once. Don't think the brand is very good.
Cool giveaway.
Susie
Marisa
I love Swerve and would love to win some!
Stacey
I'd love to try this but won't keep it in the house - it is extremely toxic and deadly to dogs and I have 2. I'm afraid if I drop any on the floor,or any product made with it and they eat it - I just can't take the chance!
Stacey
Oh - I just read on the FAQ page that they have tested it with no issues! Yay!! I may go order some today!
Stacy S
It is Xylitol that is toxic for dogs, not erythritol. Two different products.
Angela
I have tried Swerve and use it quite often. I just hate that I either have to travel to some place 45 mins to 1 hr away to get it, or wait for it to be mailed to me if I order online... especially the confectioner's. other than that LOVE it!
Anna
Finally know how to pronounce this now! Thanks for the info!
Merissa
Looking to buy some today!
Jessica Crouch
I've wanted to try this stuff for a while now. 🙂
Carol
I've never heard of it before. I would love to try it.
Thank you
Shannon
I've never tried this and I have been looking for a healthy sweetener for my family.
Sharon
I love using natural stevia and would like to try swerve!
Limari Colon
I haven't try it yet but I got a bag so I just need to cook somenthing now!!!
Lynne Dugaw
Where can I buy Swerve?? Whole Foods?
Angie
I didn't even know this product existed, thanks for the info!
Cass at That Old House
Swerve sounds perfect!
Angie
I have been using Stevia for quite some time. I am definitely going to give this a try. Thanks so much for the post!
Karin Anne
Love its taste in vitamin water zero. Would love to try it in my own recipes!
Kelley Jose
I would love to try Swerve. I have ordered other sweeteners from Amazon but have not tried Swerve.
Dave
I have heard of this but never tried it because I thought all sugar alcohols caused bloating. I will be trying it soon as I'm not fond of the stevia aftertaste.
Lisa D.
Hmm...never heard of this one. I would definitely be interested in trying it though 🙂
Amanda
No, but now I want to try it!
NancyB from Many LA
I have tried it!